There are a surprising number of creatures that have discovered the secrets to surviving in cold environments, from Alaskan wood frogs to the larvae of the Antarctic tiny, flightless midge. For J.D. Gantz, doctoral candidate at the cryobiology lab at Miami University in Ohio, one of the subjects of his research whirls around endlessly in circles. In order to understand how low temperatures affect insect muscles, he chills flesh flies and lets them ride on a “fly treadmill”—a rotating apparatus that allows him to measure a fly’s flight velocity.

When Science Friday hit the road to Oxford, Ohio for a live show, radio producer Christie Taylor along with digital producer Lauren Young explored Miami University’s cryobiology lab and learned about the applications of Gantz’s research. Step into the lab with SciFri by scrolling through the photos below while listening to the audio diary.

Photo by Lauren J. Young

J.D. Gantz. Photo by Lauren J. Young

“These don’t actually smell as terrible as they can sometimes,” says Gantz. Flesh fly maggots chow down on dried liver. They develop in decaying flesh. Photo by Lauren J. Young

Meet the Writers

Christie Taylor is an associate producer for Science Friday. Her day involves diligent research, too many phone calls for an introvert, and asking scientists if they have any audio of that narwhal heartbeat.